Sixteen months ago, while playing for Gold Coast United against Newcastle, Smeltz’s boot broke Young’s nose in a contest for the ball in the Jets’ penalty box.

With blood pouring out, Young was carried from the park. However, that was only the start of his troubles with the injury setting off a series of medical scares for the popular keeper.

Over the following few months the 30-year-old lost a dramatic amount of weight and doctors told him he was “basically dead” after complications arose from surgery to fix the broken nose.

An antibiotic taken following the incident affected the West Australian's internal organs and doctors had to remove his large intestine.

Young's spent eight weeks in hospital, mostly in intensive care. His his bone marrow stopped producing white blood cells.

He had to use a walking frame to move his increasingly frail body after losing 22kgs.

Now, at Perth Glory, it’s somewhat ironic that the pair are playing together under coach Ian Ferguson after inking deals in the off-season.

Young could even laugh about it when asked if he’d spoken with Glory’s international marquee about the incident.

“I've requested to our fitness trainer that I’ll be his sparring partner during our boxing session so I can get my own back,” he joked to au.fourfourtwo.com.

“But seriously, I had a chat with him [Smeltz] on our first day back to training just wanted him to know it from me that I don't hold a grudge about what happened.

“Like I’ve said all along, the broken nose is a part of football and if anyone is at fault for what happened after, it certainly isn't Shane.”

It’s this sort of attitude that’s won the WA-born keeper so many fans after he made his A-League debut with the Jets at such a relatively late age.

It came about after years of paying his dues in the second tier of Australian football. And he truly did take his chance with both hands with some assured performances before the injury ruined his promising start.

“It’s been a bit of a ride but if anything I've learnt a lot about my body,  I think I've become a lot more mentally strong and also who your true friends are,” Young said.

Now with a two-year deal and a new lease on life back in his home state, Young is relishing this next chapter in his career – even if he’s still working his way back to full fitness.

“The health is good, I'm working on my fitness and strength its slowly coming back but I'm sure Ill get there by time the season comes around," he said.

“When you go through what I went through you certainly look at life a bit differently.”

At Glory, Young will battle the talented Danny Vukovic for a first team spot, saying he hopes both will improve as a result of competition for the number one gloves next season.

And with the A-League fixtures about to be released, the Jets clash in Newcastle will have extra significance for Young.

He added: “Newcastle gave me the chance to play A-League and I will never forget that, but Glory gave me the chance to further my career.

“Every day the sun is shining here. Also it’s great to be back amongst the people I grew up with.

“But I made some great friends there [in Newcastle] who I’m still in contact with weekly. And the doctors and nurses who also helped in hospital, I’ll go back to visit when I’m in Newcastle because I can’t thank them enough.

“When I go back to play against the Jets, hopefully I’ll get a warm welcome.”

There’s little doubt of that.